[blindkid] O&M for the little ones

[L]

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On Fri Dec 10th, 2010 4:10 PM EST Eliza Ellett wrote:

> Hello, 
> I have a few questions that I hope some of you may have an answer for. My 
>daughter is almost 2 1/2, she has had 3 separate O&M instructions so far. I 
>really do like her O&M, yet I'm not sure on how I feel about the "walker" they 
>have the little ones use. I have read differing opinions on them being like 
>training wheels, while some say it's completely useless to have them use it. My 
>daughter does have a lot of vision left at the moment, she is about 20/320. She 
>does have a very loved NFB cane we received and has had one since she was about 
>8 mths old, to just get acquainted with. She actually doesn't do so bad with it, 
>at least from my observations of a toddler's use. I am worried that the T walker 
>she is using now will confuse her later, should I just switch her over to a 
>rigid cane? It does have the metal tip, should I replace it with a rolling tip 
>and should I use a red tip for contrast(even though I'm not sure if she would 
>see it anyways or if it would distract her)? Here's the other question since she 
>is moderately to profoundly deaf also, how do I work with her on the sounds of 
>her cane or the lack there of? It seems hearing is a pretty vital point in O&M 
>and I want to prepare her as much as possible before the school system gets a 
>hold of her. Speaking of that, what should I expect for her in terms of therapy 
>in Preschool, she starts the transitioning next month and will start school in 
>August. Does anyone know what assessments, teachers, therapists, &etc I should 
>be making sure they have for her on the Vision side and/or Hearing if you know? 
>She will be placed under DeafBlind on her IEP, I'm making sure of that, so she 
>will get the services she will need, I'm just not sure what to look for and what 
>is appropriate. 
>
>
>Thank you for all of your help in advance and  I apologize in advance on jumping 
>from one subject to another and not being completely clear on my questions. 
>
>
>Eliza
>
>
>      
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